City Building Permits

Gatlinburg, TENNESSEE Building Permit Guide

How to apply for a building permit in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Tennessee Sevier County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Covers building, planning, zoning, and related boards within the City of Gatlinburg. The department administers zoning ordinances and coordinates the EDRB, Board of Zoning Appeals, and Planning Commission.

Department
City of Gatlinburg Building and Planning Department
Address
City Hall, upstairs, 1230 East Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Phone
865-436-7792
Website
https://www.gatlinburgtn.gov/page/building-planning

Online Permit Portal

Open MyGovernmentOnline / MGO Connect

Platform: MyGovernmentOnline / MGO Connect • Account required: Yes • Submission: Online only

Application Process

  1. Contact Building and Planning if you need help determining permit or zoning requirements.
  2. Prepare permit application materials and design plans for online submission.
  3. Submit the building permit through MyGovernmentOnline.
  4. Department staff review the plans and application for code compliance.
  5. Complete inspections required by the department.
  6. Resolve any comments or corrections and proceed to final approval.

Typical processing time: No general processing time estimate was publicly posted on the pages reviewed.

Source: City of Gatlinburg Building and Planning Department

General Requirements

The department states it administers and enforces building codes, makes required inspections, and reviews building plans. Specific permit triggers are not consolidated on one accessible public page; users are directed to contact the department for permit and zoning questions.

Required Documents

  • Permit application and design plans submitted through MyGovernmentOnline
  • Additional ordinance and checklist documents as housed in the department documents library
Permit validity
Not clearly posted on the accessible public pages reviewed.
Building code
2018 International Building and Fire Codes effective for applications submitted after May 4, 2021, along with the 2018 Existing Building Code and 2018 Swimming Pool and Spa Code.
Owner-builder
Not clearly posted on the accessible public pages reviewed.
Contractor requirements
Not clearly posted on the accessible public pages reviewed; applicants should verify Tennessee and local requirements with the department.

Fees

Minimum permit fee
Not publicly posted in an accessible general fee schedule located during this research
Plan check fee
Not publicly posted in an accessible general fee schedule located during this research
Permit fee formula
Not publicly posted in an accessible general fee schedule located during this research
Reinspection fee
Not publicly posted in an accessible general fee schedule located during this research
Payment note
No general building permit fee schedule was located on the public pages reviewed. The city clearly directs users to MyGovernmentOnline for permit processing, but a public consolidated fee sheet was not located. For a separate tourist residency permit program, the city posts $200 for a 2-bedroom-or-less unit plus $75 for each bedroom over two.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the City of Gatlinburg Building and Planning Department to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

  • Department contact (department)
Inspection hours
Monday to Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm, except observed holidays

Typical inspection sequence: The department states it makes required inspections and reviews building plans, but does not publish a general step-by-step inspection sequence on the accessible pages reviewed

Additional Resources

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the City of Gatlinburg Building and Planning Department before applying.

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Important: This page is an educational resource provided by jaspector.com. It is not legal advice, and it does not substitute for official guidance from the permit authority listed above. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the issuing department before beginning any construction project. Use of this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Jaspector assumes no liability for any outcomes arising from reliance on this information.

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